Fort Worth's cultural heritage continues to flourish in the Camp Bowie District.
The nine-mile stretch on the city's west side offers something for everyone. The district has locally owned stores, shops and boutiques as well as restaurants and parks. It runs along Camp Bowie Boulevard from University Drive to Loop 820 and includes Seventh Street to Montgomery Street.
Brandy O'Quinn, president of Camp Bowie District, Inc., said the area is "very open to family" and offers a opportunity for parents to introduce their children to music and art.
Camp Bowie Boulevard runs diagonally, creating "little pocket parks" where other streets intersect, O'Quinn said.
"There's areas like Veteran's Park where you can actually go and run your dog or have a picnic, or even the Kimbell great lawn," she said.
Camp Bowie is also rich with visual arts.
A new sculpture sits in Byers Green, a triangular park by Kay's Hallmark.
Many of the locally owned restaurants feature the works of local artists. There are also numerous art studios along the boulevard.
The district is also home to the annual Jazz by the Boulevard. This year, it features big name acts such as George Clinton, Chris Botti and the Blind Boys of Alabama.
The bands play on two stages at 3401 Lancaster St., and concertgoers can enjoy it on the lawn for a $5 admission. Reserved seating is also available.
Commercial property owners created the public improvement district nine years ago.
"It seemed a lot of attention was going to other areas of the city of Fort Worth, and Camp Bowie has always been one of those treasured boulevards," said Brandy O'Quinn, president of Camp Bowie District, Inc.
Over the last few years, the district has helped bring new life into the historic street.
"Because it is so much of the locally owned stores, we needed to keep it fresh and keep it going," O'Quinn said. "The brick was redone. We planted trees all up and down Camp Bowie. We have banners up and down. We produce the jazz festival to raise awareness of this fantastic area."
